Cyanobacteria testing reveals improved conditions on Clear Lake
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – County officials reported that followup testing at sites around Clear Lake have shown improved water conditions, with cyanotoxin levels from cyanobacteria falling below the “caution” level.
The most recent lab results received on Sept. 13 for the monitoring conducted on Sept. 4 for cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, detected results at six of the 18 sampling sites, but all six of these are below the caution threshold, based on the Monday report.
Water monitoring is done by Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony.
Officials said the latest results show a significant improvement from previous levels, and if this trend continues with the next sampling in two weeks, they will be able to remove all of the warning signs from the lake.
At this point, the county plans to continue posting previously affected sites with “caution” signs and reevaluate when the next sampling results are analyzed. Those sites are in the Oaks Arm of Clear Lake, the Clearlake Oaks shoreline, Elem shoreline and Cache Creek at Highway 53.
The posting recommendation is based on the potential health risks from the algae, which over the last few months has been blooming at varying levels in all three arms of the Lake – Upper Arm, Oaks Arm and Lower Arm.
Public Health follows state guidelines in waiting for minimum two sampling results at a lower level before changing signs; or two non-detectable results before removing signs. However, overall conditions are improving, with no warning or danger levels at this time.
The Redbud Park boat launch location, which was at a danger level from a sample taken on Aug. 7, still shows a detectable level, but below the caution threshold, and is close to a drinking water supply, officials said.
The Clearlake Oaks location is also close to a drinking water supply, but it is now “nondetectable.” The county said that sampling of drinking water completed Aug. 17 and Aug. 28 from these locations showed results below detection levels for microcystin.
Blue-green algae can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets. Officials urge people to choose safe activities when visiting the Oaks Arm and parts of the Lower Arm of Clear Lake and wherever blooms are visible. It is strongly recommended that people and their pets avoid contact with water and avoid swallowing lake water in an algae bloom area.
Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your pet, or livestock might have been poisoned by blue-green algae toxins. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with blue-green algae and contact the county Public Health Department at 707-263-1090.